14:25 Haydock

Saturday 8 June 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:52

Betfred 'Play Fred's 5 Million' Handicap

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 2m 35.94s

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(4)

Wise Eagle^p³⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: D Tudhope| T: A Nicol| OR: 105| D

14/1

Has built up a good strike rate for this yard, making a winning return at Musselburgh (14f) last term before a good second in Grp 3 Sagaro Stakes. Clearly not 100% final start and whilst he should strip fitter for his return at Newmarket last month, this mark demands more. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 41/120-8

(2)

Max Mayhem¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: H Kobeissi| OR: 101

14/1

Dual winner of 11f Kempton handicaps for Kevin Philippart de Foy last year and ended time with that yard with a respectable third in French listed contest in December. Changed hands for 47,000 gns after and he's not discounted on return.

Form: 862813-

(3)

Struth⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 94| D

5/1

Won at Chester last May and generally held form well in defeat later in the season, headed only late on when runner-up in the November Handicap at Newcastle (12.4f) on his final outing. Gelded after and not figured either start so far this term and bit to prove here.

Form: 0442-90

(6)

Divina Grace¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Rae Guest| OR: 90| D

6/4

Won back-to-back handicaps at this sort of trip in September and returned to action with a solid third of 11 in handicap at Goodwood (12f) 2 weeks ago, ridden more prominently than the pair that beat her. Nudged up 1 lb ahead of this but she's likeable and ought to go well again.

Form: 78112-3

(9)

Iron Lion²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 88| BF| D

11/2

Stepped up on his Southwell reappearance third when an easy winner over 1½m at Doncaster on his penultimate start. Easy to put a line through his subsequent Newmarket run (short of room 2f out/hampered 1f out) and he remains one to be interested in for in-form stable.

Form: 147-316

(1)

Knightswood⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 86| D

11/2

Successful on 2 of his 5 starts last year and has performed with plenty of credit on 2 of his 3 outings this spring, faring best of those held up following a tardy start when third of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (11.9f) 8 days ago. Should remain competitive.

Form: 131-283

(7)

Mountain Road^h²⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: S De Sousa| T: D M Simcock| OR: 83| BF

18/1

Ended his 3-y-o campaign on the up, winning pair of Chelmsford handicaps at up to 2m. Exploits proved mixed in light 2023 campaign but he did sign off with a good second at Kempton (2m) in September. Hood refitted for return/dropping back in trip.

Form: 1/46052-

(5)

Melek Alreeh⁸⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: A Mullen| T: D M Simcock| OR: 79| D

10/1

Had an underwhelming 4-y-o campaign but eased in weights and back on track on all-weather earlier this year, building on his reappearance second when a narrow winner at Southwell (12.1f) in March. Much more on his plate back on turf but there could be a little more to come.

Form: 5656-21

Non-Runners

(8)

Maghlaak¹²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 5

T: C Hills J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Divina Grace (6/4), Maghlaak (4/1), Struth (5/1), Iron Lion (11/2), Knightswood (11/2), Melek Alreeh (10/1), Max Mayhem (14/1), Wise Eagle (14/1), Mountain Road (18/1)

Successful on his return at Goodwood, MAGHLAAK wasn't seen to best effect when down the field in the Zetland Gold Cup 12 days ago and, unexposed at this trip with blinkers now enlisted, it would come as no surprise to see Charlie HIlls's 5-y-o have more to offer yet. Iron Lion wasn't seen to best effect at Newmarket latest and he's danger, with Knightswood and Divina Grace others to consider.